Dr Coral Kemp
Founding Director
Coral is a qualified teacher, special educator and teacher-trainer. Over the years, she has established and coordinated many projects relating to the education of children, in particular young children with disabilities and other special needs.
She has held supervisory positions in two state education systems and has been a consultant for the state and independent sectors in NSW. Coral is also a Founding Director of the Institute of Special Educators (InSpEd).
Since the early 1990s, Coral has held the following positions at Macquarie University:
- Assistant Director of Macquarie University Special Education Centre (MUSEC)
- Deputy Principal and Acting Principal at MUSEC Special School; and
- Team Leader of the Early Years Initiative at MUSEC.
She has also convened a number of university courses, including the Postgraduate Certificate in Early Intervention.
Professor Rebekah Grace
Chairperson
Professor Rebekah Grace is Director, Transforming early Education and Child Health (TeEACH) Research Centre at Western Sydney University and has been a member of the STaR Research Committee since 2014.
Rebekah is passionate about understanding and addressing the support needs of children and families who are vulnerable. Her research has engaged with a broad range of families, including those who have children with disabilities, those who have been identified as ‘at risk’ by the child protection system, and those who live in communities that experience disadvantage. She also has extensive experience working in partnership with Australian Aboriginal communities, and a strong commitment to walking alongside Indigenous people to acknowledge and address the profound inequities that exist as the result of past and current legislation and practice.
Margaret Meaker
Non-Executive Director
Margaret was appointed as General Manager of the STaR Association in 2006. She was previously Treasurer (2001) and President (2002-2005).
Margaret has over 20 years’ experience working in the community services sector, with management positions for many non-government organisations. This included managing the Community Access and Integration Programs for Residential Care Inc, an accommodation support service for adults with intellectual disabilities.
She has also worked for the Benevolent Society in aged care, establishing and managing community aged care packages on Sydney’s Northern beaches, which enabled people to remain living independently in their own homes for as long as possible.
Margaret’s daughter, Lilian, was one of the first children to enrol in the STaR program in 2002. Margaret’s motivation remains very personal as she believes her daughter’s ability to learn and participate socially was enhanced forever because she attended a STaR centre for 3 years.
Valentina Borbone
Non-Executive Director
Valentina is an experienced marketer, working with an impressive range of clients including Apple, FOXTEL, Macquarie University, BDCU Alliance Bank and realestate.com.au to name a few.
Currently, Valentina is the owner and CEO of Banter Group, a full service marketing agency; is an expert advisor for The International Social Media Association; an experienced Digital Marketing trainer; and a seasoned presenter and facilitator.
Valentina’s daughter, Angelique, enrolled in the STaR program in 2013. Valentina experienced STaR program results very early in Angelique’s inclusion program and has continued to support STaR’s growth in every way to enable other children to participate successfully in their social and educational contexts.